25 Oct Five Years, Countless Connections: Connect the Dots Receives National Honors for Public Participation as Firm Celebrates 5th Anniversary in the US

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Five Years, Countless Connections

Connect the Dots Receives National Honors for Public

Participation as Firm Celebrates 5th Anniversary in the US

Philadelphia, PA — Connect the Dots, a women-owned firm specializing in the development of innovative and meaningful community outreach and engagement strategies, proudly announces it has received the prestigious International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) USA Core Values Award in the Creativity and Innovation Category, alongside the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and partners, for their project Framing the Future of the Roundhouse. This recognition underscores the firm’s steadfast commitment to collaboration, equity, and meaningful community engagement, coinciding with the kickoff of Connect the Dots’ fifth-anniversary celebration in the US.

About the IAP2 USA Core Values Award in Creativity and Innovation 

“We are truly honored to receive the IAP2 USA Core Values Award in the Creativity and Innovation Category,” said Marisa Denker, Co-Founder and CEO of Connect the Dots. “This recognition highlights our team’s commitment to meaningful community engagement and reinforces our mission to ensure that community voices are amplified in the decision-making processes that shape our cities and beyond.”

The Framing the Future of the Roundhouse project incorporated meaningful placemaking and community story collection and framing to have Philadelphians inform on the future of the former Police Headquarters, commonly called the Roundhouse, in Center City Philadelphia. Through an unprecedented engagement process, the City of Philadelphia enabled community voices to guide the redevelopment of the site of the former police headquarters by gathering stories and memories, untangling the relationship Philadelphians have with the site, and ideating on its future.

“The Framing the Future of the Roundhouse project exemplifies Connect the Dots’ core values—impact-driven, inclusive, creative, people-first community engagement—as we worked to bring diverse community voices into the process through 10+ tailored and unique engagement methods. This was critical to enable an accessible process that allowed us to approach the site with reverence for its enduring memories and build a bridge to more inclusive potential futures,” shared Sylvia García-García, Principal at Connect the Dots. “As we celebrate five years of impactful work in the United States, we look forward to continuing important efforts like this – alongside communities and decision makers – to shape inclusive environments for all” added García-García.

Josh Stepherson, IAP2 USA President, remarked on the project: “We were impressed by the execution of more untraditional methods of public engagement. The use of art-based tools and the variety of opportunities that did not require public speaking distinguished this project. With the difficult historical background, the project collected the stories of community members—many of which were trauma-infused. Art created a safe and welcoming medium for people to share these stories. Myriad engagement and multilingual tactics allowed people across a whole spectrum of age ranges and skill sets to participate in a way that felt comfortable.”

Founded in 1992, the IAP2 advocates for and supports the practice of Public Participation, which is based on the premise that people affected by a decision have a right and expectation to have their opinion, position and interests heard and considered. The IAP2 Core Values Awards are presented each year to projects that best exemplify IAP2’s guiding principles. Winners received their award at the IAP2 North American Conference in Ottawa, Ontario on October 24, 2024. 

About Connect the Dots 

Co-founded a decade ago by Marisa Denker in Ireland, Connect the Dots is an outreach and engagement firm specializing in the development of innovative and meaningful strategies to amplify the voices of communities and stakeholders in participatory processes. With extensive experience in leading public outreach initiatives related to planning, economic development, transportation, sustainability, and placemaking, the firm has developed a comprehensive approach aimed at fostering stronger community support and a lasting sense of ownership over projects.

Connect the Dots designs creative and innovative outreach strategies that meet people where they are, focusing on accessibility and inclusion. This approach is supported by core values that guide every engagement process:

• Impact–Driven: Connecting engagement interactions to key decision points so participants see their input reflected in the results.
• Inclusive: Creating access to opportunities for input to ensure community representation, with special consideration for marginalized voices.
• Creative: Designing approachable, memorable interactions tailored to community context.
• People–First: Respecting community members and focusing on building trust through accountability, authenticity, and reciprocity.
• Transparent: Providing clear, accessible information, giving participants insight into the process and circling back to show outcomes.

This approach to engagement means that Connect the Dots focuses on providing multiple access points for public participation. It is a framework flexible enough to respond to neighborhood needs yet consistent enough to ensure accessibility and transparency.

Since bringing Connect the Dots to Philadelphia in 2019, the firm has played a crucial role in ensuring that community voices are included in major initiatives impacting people across the city and beyond. Recent clients include DVRPC, SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, NJ Transit, the City of Lancaster, Jersey City, Comcast NBC Universal, RIPTA, PennDOT, NJTPA, DelDOT, various Counties and Metropolitan Planning Organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, as well as Business Improvement Districts including King of Prussia District and Center City District. The firm also works with foundations and nonprofit organizations, including the Knight Foundation, The Welcoming Center, William Way LGBT Community Center, and The Enterprise Center. 

Five Years, Countless Connections

To commemorate this achievement and anniversary, Connect the Dots is sharing special content across its website and social media platforms, highlighting key milestones, community stories, and reflections from the past five years. This content will be distributed throughout the rest of the year, inviting clients, partners, and community members to engage with the firm’s mission and values.

Join the Celebration: Visit connectthedots.us and Follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Questions? Contact the Connect the Dots team at [email protected]